by Sarah Olson
I let the anger of his arrogance wash over me, my mind finally clear. I shook off his grip and turned to Ethelyn. "Leave us."
"But, Milady—"
"Now!" I yelled, cutting her off.
She nodded and began to walk away, her steps slow, in case I changed my mind.
"Look, Aria," Thomas began quickly. "What you saw in there, it meant nothing—it means nothing." There was desperation in his gray eyes.
"How can you say that?" I gasped.
"Because it’s the truth! I don’t love her! You have to understand—I have needs."
His words were like a punch to the stomach, and I staggered back a step. "How dare you," I said, the words coming out quieter than I intended.
He clenched his jaw and averted his eyes to the trees behind me as if he were speaking to a spoiled child that refused to understand logic.
"I can’t believe you!" I snapped. "You screwed the first whore that would sleep with you because I asked you to wait?"
"What did you expect?" he asked, incredulously. "You wouldn’t sleep with me—what was I supposed to do?"
I slapped him across the face.
He looked stunned.
"How could you do this to me—to us? I loved you."
"Aria—"
"No!" I screamed. "Did she write all those letters to you while you were in Malan? The ones you told my father were from me?"
He dropped his gaze to the forest floor, realizing that he was trapped. This was something he wouldn’t be able to talk his way out of.
"I thought you loved me," I whispered, suddenly exhausted.
"I do," he said, taking my hand.
"Then you must have a skewed understanding of the word," I said, pulling away. I turned and walked away.
Thomas didn’t follow, and that was all I needed to confirm everything I suddenly knew. Thomas had been unfaithful to me, the wedding was off, and I didn’t know if I would ever recover from this broken heart.
Chapter 6
James
T he door to my study flew open as Aria stumbled in. Her eyes were red, and her cheeks were streaked with tears.
"Aria!" I exclaimed, jumping up from behind my desk.
She ran to me and threw herself into my arms.
I held her tight. "Aria, what’s wrong?"
"The wedding is off!" she cried into my chest.
Her words surprised me. "What do you mean 'off?'"
"I can’t marry Thomas!"
"Haddon," I said to the advisor standing in the corner of the room, looking embarrassed for not having excused himself yet. "Send for the queen, immediately."
I led Aria over to the canapé sofa and sat her down. I hated seeing her cry. I felt helpless when she did. "Tell me what happened."
"It’s too awful," she said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
I suddenly feared Thomas had done something to her. Tinges of anger began to pull at me. "Did Thomas hurt you?"
She shook her head.
"Then what is it?"
Layla burst into the room, followed closely by Haddon. She took one look at Aria and me and turned to Haddon. "Leave us."
He excused himself, and she came quickly to Aria’s side. "Aria, my dear. What’s happened?" she asked as she sat and wrapped her arms around Aria.
Aria closed her eyes and choked out the words. "Thomas—I found Thomas in—in bed with Mo—Moira."
I stood as anger surged through me.
"What?" Layla gasped. She looked up at me as shock registered across her face.
"I didn’t write him all those letters, Father," Aria cried.
Layla pulled Aria into her as sobs wracked her body.
I clenched my fist in an attempt to control myself as the need to hit something surged through me. "Haddon!"
The door opened, and Haddon stepped back in. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Send for Lord Thomas Windsor," I spat. The young lord's name tasted bitter on my tongue
Haddon bowed and left quickly.
I began to pace the room.
"Tell me everything," I heard Layla say. She was so composed.
Aria sat up and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "When Father told me that Thomas had received so many letters, I knew they had to be from Moira," she said. "I went with Catherine to confront her, but when we got to her house, I found them—together."
The door to my study opened again. "Lord Thomas was already here," Haddon said.
"Come in, Thomas," I growled when I saw his figure looming behind Haddon in the doorway.
Thomas walked in slowly—his eyes darting around the room. He looked tired and uncertain, unlike the calm and collected Thomas I had just spent a month with in Malan. Seeing him only angered me more, and I knew that if I took a step closer, I would kill him. No one hurt or disrespected my family and got away with it.
As Haddon went to close the door, Gabriel stepped around him. "What’s going on?" he asked as he took in everyone in the room, his eyes lingering on Aria as she clung to her mother.
"Gabriel, not now," Layla said. "Leave us."
"He can stay," I said.
"James—" Layla began.
"I said he can stay," I repeated. "Close the door, Haddon."
Fear flashed across Thomas' face as the door closed. Gabriel went over to Layla and Aria.
I never let my gaze falter from Thomas. "Is what my daughter said true?"
"I can explain—" Thomas began.
"It is a yes or no question!" I snapped. "Were you unfaithful to her?"
Thomas shifted uneasily. "Yes—but it didn’t mean anything!"
Gabriel sprang across the room. "You bastard!" he yelled, grabbing Thomas and slamming him against the wall.
I made no move to stop him.
"Gabriel!" Layla cried.
Gabriel pressed his forearm into Thomas' throat, the young lord’s eyes bulging as he gasped for air.
"James!" Layla called out again. "Stop this!"
I clenched my jaw and reluctantly pulled Gabriel off him. I’d forgotten how strong he had become. Gabriel shook me off but didn’t go for Thomas again.
Thomas bent over, gasping for air. "I’m sorry," he sputtered. "I never meant to . . ."
"To what?" Aria snapped. The tears had stopped, and hatred and anger clouded her face. "To sleep with another woman? To break my heart?" She yanked the engagement ring off her finger and flung it at him.
"You are never welcome in this castle again," I said. "Do you understand?"
The study door opened, and Tristan slid into the room, not needing an invitation, as Haddon had most likely sent for him.
"Throw him out," I said to Tristan as Layla crossed the room to me. She placed a hand on my trembling fist.
Thomas picked up the ring that had once belonged to my daughter.
"Now," I growled when neither Thomas nor Tristan moved.
Tristan nodded and grabbed Thomas by the back of his tunic and hauled him from the room.
Aria fell to her knees and began to cry again—her sudden strength gone. Gabriel got down and wrapped his arms around her.
How had this happened?
☐☐☐☐
I stood on the far side of Aria’s room as she lay in bed, tears soaking her pillow. Layla sat beside her, running her hand through Aria’s golden hair.
"Everything is going to be fine," Layla said, quietly. "You’ll be all right, my darling."
"Why did I trust him?" Aria cried.
"We all did," Layla said. "We all thought he was different. He fooled us."
"Just be grateful you didn’t end up marrying him," I said.
"James, please," Layla said as Aria’s sobbing grew.
"I’ll wait outside," I said, knowing I was never one to comfort.
I exited the room without another word and leaned against the wall. The hall was quiet and flickered in the candlelight. I closed my eyes and pressed my fingers into my temple.
How did I not see any of this coming?
&nbs
p; I never liked Thomas much, but Layla had always assured me that it was because I didn’t want to let Aria go. Now he had broken her heart, and I felt powerless.
A figure loomed in the hall, and I recognized Davorin.
"Should I ask why I saw Tristan throwing Thomas out?" he asked striding into view.
"The wedding is off," I said.
Davorin’s eyes widened. "What happened?"
I ran a hand through my hair. "He was having an affair with Moira."
"Lady Catherine’s cousin?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
I nodded.
"Well, from what I’ve heard, that doesn’t surprise me from her end—but Thomas?"
I gritted my teeth, "I always knew there was something I didn’t like about him. Apparently, his excuse was that he has his needs and Aria would not give in." Just saying the words brought on irritation.
Davorin nodded. "Then he is an ass."
"There was a time you would have said the same thing," I reminded him.
"I know," Davorin said, his face serious. "But I would have never claimed to love a woman I didn’t truly feel strongly about."
"You are lucky Charlotte never held any of it against you."
"So when do we kill him?" A feral grin stretched across his face.
I didn’t even attempt to fight a smile. "If it were only that simple."
"It would have been before you were king. I remember when your hand slipped and killed that bounty hunter that attacked Layla in the villages—the one you sent to Malan’s prison. Did you ever tell her?"
"Never a need to," I replied.
Davorin laughed. "Much simpler then."
I leaned my head back onto the wall.
He patted my shoulder. "Well, come on—I’m sure you can use a drink."
☐☐☐☐
The tavern in Eagle's Nest was dimly lit. The sounds of laughter floated in the air as men sat around, downing their pints of ale. It was a place I could go where people didn’t care I was king.
Davorin chose a table in the far corner and sent the serving wench to get us something to drink.
"Here you go," she said nervously as she placed two mugs of ale on the table then quickly scurried away.
"Get rid of that scowl," Davorin said as I took a swig. "You scared the poor girl."
I put the mug down. "I don’t really care."
He sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. "What are you going to do?"
"There is nothing I can do. I have banished him from the castle, but that’s it. It’s not like he committed a crime."
"You could always cite treason," Davorin said with a laugh.
I glared at him.
Davorin rolled his eyes and took a swig of his ale. "I didn’t suspect a thing when he accompanied us to Malan."
"I know, and that’s what makes me even angrier. I didn’t see any of it coming."
"No one did—and it’s not like you need any of this now with all those problems we are having with Surmania."
I shook my head and took a long drink. I didn’t need a reminder of the struggle Asteria and Malan faced in trying to work out a treaty with Surmania. They still blamed Asteria for the murder of their queen, and some rumors had gone so far as to say that I had a hand in the matter since she was in Asteria at the time. Thankfully, the tension was not violent.
"The Surmans are not much of a concern right now," I said. "Not yet, anyway."
"Your Majesty," a man’s voice said.
I looked up to see Lord Windsor with his trim beard and graying hair kept as neat as his clothing.
"Can I help you?" I asked, wondering if the scowl on my face was enough for the lord to realize now was not the time.
"I came to apologize for my son’s antics," Lord Windsor said.
He either didn’t take the hint or didn’t care. Knowing him, it was the latter.
"Have a seat," I said, knowing others would be watching.
Lord Windsor pulled up a chair and sat down. He smiled at Davorin, and I called the serving wench over for a pint of ale.
Davorin leaned back in his chair, his amused gaze on the lord.
I could tell he was biding his time in an attempt to show the prying eyes in the room that he was important enough to keep the king waiting.
"Ah, thank you," Lord Windsor said when the young woman returned with his ale. He took a long swig and then set it on the table with a sigh.
"You were saying . . ." Davorin prompted, cocking his head to the side.
Lord Windsor met my hard gaze. "As I said, I came here to apologize on behalf of my family for this embarrassment—but while my son’s actions were improper, I must ask you to reconsider calling off the wedding."
His calm demeanor was irksome. "Excuse me?"
Lord Windsor smiled. "We all know that young men fool around from time to time—but why should that mean the rest of their lives should be ruined because of it? You have banished my son from the castle. What do you think that will do to our name?"
"I don’t give a damn about your name," I said, gripping the mug tightly.
"Your Majesty," Lord Windsor said, shifting in his chair, "Aria is overreacting. Thomas has made it clear that he is sorry and that what he did meant nothing."
"How dare you make it sound like my daughter wronged your son? It is not her fault that he could not keep his trousers on."
Lord Windsor blinked back in surprise. "I will not ask politely again for you to reinstate the marriage."
I slammed the mug down and stood. "Are you threatening me?"
Lord Windsor jumped up and took a hesitant step back. I was at least a head taller than him, and he knew I could take him down easily.
Davorin stayed seated with traces of amusement on his face.
"All I am saying," Lord Windsor continued, "is that this engagement is very public. If you refuse to reinstate it, I will be forced to go to the Council and ask that they intervene. The Windsor family is well known, and you should be happy that we would allow Aria into it, despite the fact that her very existence is shameful."
I clenched my fists at my sides. All I saw was red. I could hear Layla’s voice, James, it’s not worth it. It never is. It was what she always said when I was ready to lash out. I took a breath and tried to keep the anger from clouding my judgment.
The amusement on Davorin’s face was gone, and his eyes were clouded with fury as he stood. "How dare you insult the royal family and assume that the Council would intervene in such personal matters?"
"With royalty, nothing is personal. You will have a scandal on your hands if you do not make Aria marry my son."
"I will do no such thing," I roared, silencing the room.
I lowered my voice to a growl. "If you think that I would force my daughter into a marriage with a pig like your son, then you are an imbecile. If you approach me on this matter again, I will personally strip you of your lordship."
Lord Windsor looked like I had punched him in the face—which I wanted to. When he recovered, he smiled, "I understand, Your Majesty."
"Let’s go," I said to Davorin.
Davorin tossed a couple of coins on the table and followed me out.
The castle was quiet when I returned. Most of the servants had retired for the night, only leaving guards to pace the long halls. When I reached my chambers, I quietly opened the door into the parlor. If Layla was sleeping, I didn’t want to disturb her—not after everything that happened today.
Dim light stretched out from underneath the door to our bedroom, and I knew she was awake. I opened the door, and the ocean breeze drifted in through the open doors that led to the balcony. Layla’s silhouette stood against the moon’s rays as she watched the sea below.
"Where have you been?" she asked without turning.
"I went to town with Davorin," I answered, joining her on the balcony.
She turned around and gave me a weak smile. "You missed Lady Windsor’s visit."
I shook my head, not surprised. "Lord Winds
or found me in the tavern and demanded I force Aria to marry Thomas."
"Seems we both have had quite a night," she mumbled. "Did he threaten to go to the Council as well?"
"Yes," I replied, grimly. "Not that it matters since the Council can’t intervene. He did, however, seem to back down when I threatened to strip him of his lordship."
"Good. Scandal or no scandal, I would never force any of our children into a marriage."
I nodded.
Layla met my gaze, and sadness crept across her face. "How did this happen, James?" She suddenly looked more like the lost sixteen-year old I had met twenty years before than a queen. The pain in her eyes made me want nothing more than to hold her.
"It was out of our control," I said, knowing that it was the truth.
She turned away and leaned on the railing. I watched as she looked down into the dark waves crashing below the cliffs.
"I never wanted her to feel this pain," she whispered into the darkness.
I moved behind her and wrapped my arms around her middle. Her warmth was reassuring.
She leaned back into my chest. "It just brings me back to everything that happened with Richard."
The name sent a shard of envy through my heart. Part of me had always hated that he had been Layla’s first love. With the thought always came the notion that Aria would never truly be my daughter.
Layla turned to look at me. "I don’t mean to upset you."
"You’re not," I said. "How is she doing?"
She sighed. "She’s so upset and heartbroken. She loved him, James, and now I don’t know what to do. Nothing I say can take away her pain."
"Then we give her time," I said. "She’s strong, just like her mother."
Layla smiled. She rose onto her toes and pressed her lips to mine. "Thank you for not killing him," she whispered against them. "I know you wanted to."
I laughed. "What kind of a king would I be if I had?"
She rolled her eyes and kissed me again.
The softness of her lips and warmth of her body reminded me how good it felt to have her in my arms again. I pulled her closer, letting my hand run down her back.
"Will you just hold me tonight?" she whispered, burying her head in my chest.
I rested my head on top of hers. "You don’t even have to ask."